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Making holiday gifts from your kitchen is a wonderful way to save on the budget, instead of the brownies or cookie mix, look for a healthier time saving recipe for the recipient.

It is
that time of year where our sense of giving sometimes takes over and we find
ourselves looking at our lists and wondering how on earth we will be able to
stick to a budget. Giving gifts is a tradition for many holidays, in many parts
of the world, through many cultures; the ritual is often celebrated with the
gift of food. Giving a teacher, friend or co-worker a time-saving gift from
your kitchen may be a treasure for them and an easy solution for you.

The
trick is to think healthy. We know there are all kinds of recipes out there for
cookies in a jar, brownies in a bag and more desserts than we can imagine. Try
putting together the ingredients for a hearty soup mix, which would include the
beans, lentils, dried peas and spices, once the gift is opened just a few
perishable ingredients may need to be added. Or maybe a dried seasoning mix for
spaghetti or tacos, these would be great time savers and healthier because they
would not have the salt in them that their commercial version would have. If
you are thinking something sweeter would be more appreciated, look for a healthier granola recipe;
this would consist of oats, wheat germ, dried fruits, but not a lot of sugars
or fat.

Where
would one go to find these recipes? Look through your own recipes and see if
you are able to adapt a favorite, check out already designed mixes that are
on-line or in bookstores or libraries, keeping in mind that you are looking for
healthier versions, less sodium, sugar and fat. Michigan State University Extension often
refers to recipes from the Recipe
Finder at the USDA SNAP-Ed site for their classes. Also consider what your
family likes. Making kits that include pasta, seasonings and canned veggies or
tomatoes may be just what a tired cook can grab at the end of a hectic day and
create a wonderful casserole with just a little prep work.

If
you like the idea of themed gifts think about taco night, pizza night, salad
night, breakfast night and start there. Include a baking pan or muffin tin, and
some cooking utensils if they are appropriate to the recipe and of course the
non-perishable ingredients along with the recipe tucked into a gift bag or
basket to make wonderful inexpensive gifts. To add the final personal touch add
a personal note sharing something special about the recipe, thanking the gift
recipient or whatever you think is appropriate for the occasion. Involve
children in the preparation of these gifts to help share in the memory making
and fun of sharing what was done together as a family.